Access to Tasmania is either by air, via a number of international and national carriers, or by sea via the Spirit of Tasmania passenger/car ferry. Flights are also available within the state to King and Flinders Islands.

One of the best ways to see Tasmania is by hire vehicle and there are many options available. Along with cars for hire are also 4WD’s, motorcycles, campervans, camper trailers and caravans.

Buses

Metropolitan

Metro Tasmania provides the main urban service for Hobart, Launceston and Burnie with nonurban services to nearby towns. Metro have a Greencard available with a daily cap that makes getting around very affordable ( for example travel beginning after 9am or on a weekend in urban areas is capped at $4.30 for the day, adult fare). Greencards can be applied for online.

The city of Devonport is serviced by which also has a bus pass system. Merseylink operates a Shearwater/Port Sorell Shuttle bus service weekdays.

Statewide

Statewide bus services are:

Redline Coaches operates between Hobart and Smithton through the Midlands and Launceston with online booking available. Redline run a shuttle service from Hobart airport to Hobart city. They also run special services to some of Tasmania’s festivals and events. Redline have a Tassie Pass for unlimited travel on their main route services and selected tourist destinations and offer concessions for YHA backpackers.

Tassielink operates services between the major centres and to the East Coast, Tasman Peninsula, West Coast, Cradle Mountain and Dover. Online bookings are available and concessions for YHA and VIP backpackers.

Saintys Coaches operates from Launceston, providing regular public transport services between major centres in the northeast, Saintys also provide transfers from Launceston, Hobart and Devonport airports and the Spirit of Tasmania berth, to Cradle Mountain, the Overland track, Walls of Jerusalem and Arm River.

Callows Coaches provides a regular public transport service linking east coast centres with Hobart and Launceston with online booking available.

Freycinet Connections links Bicheno, Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park. Catch the Freycinet Explorer from Bicheno or Coles Bay to explore the beauty of Freycinet Peninsula. Prior bookings are necessary for passengers travelling with bicycles. (connects with Callows and Tassielink)

Evans Coaches links the Huon Valley to Hobart with daily services and provides tours to the Tahune Airwalk and selected events from Hobart.

There are a number of taxi companies operating in Tasmania, all of which are government regulated and must have a roof sign showing they are taxis.

Taxis charge an initial flagfall and then a distance rate at various tariff rates.

Flagfall for the state is $3.40

The most common tariffs are 1 (between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm on weekdays other than public holidays $1.84 per km) and 2 (between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays $2.20 per km)

Higher tariffs (3 and 4) are charged when transporting passengers in wheelchairs or when 5 or more passengers are carried.

King and Flinders Islands flagfall is $4.90 and tariff 1 and 2 are $2.05 and $2.46 respectively.

You can catch a taxi by hailing them when approaching you on the street or at a taxi rank or by phoning a taxi company.